MU vs. KU - a sports competition that will determine superiority FOREVER!!!

[Maitre D]

The point-spread isn't out on the game Monday, personally I'm suspecting Mizzou by 3.   
http://sports.bodoglife.com/sports-bett ... etball.jsp

It's Mizzou by 4.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1214 ... ouri-feb-9

[AllThingsKC]

It's Mizzou by 4.

Why?

I'm picking KU to win.  Even when playing KU, Mizzou Arena doesn't equal home field advantage for the Tigers.

I really, really like the way KU is playing right now.  They look a lot better than what we saw at the start of the season and they look to be more "complete" (for lack of a better word) than MU right now.  I can see 1 of 3 things happening...

1. MU builds big lead, loses it, and KU wins.
2. KU wins a very close game that comes down to the last second.
3. KU wins by 20+.

[StL_Dan]

Hahaha....

[KCPowercat]

Who is headed to the game?

[LenexatoKCMO]

There are many factors.  KU usually plays road games on Big Mondays, a day which is terrible in the entertainment industry.   Also, KU only plays the South teams every other year so that could increase their draw.   Another argument could be KU decreases some interest because home fans don't want to see their team lose.    As PHX points out, there is usually some nearby KU fan base that bumps up the attendance too (altho up in Lincoln last week, we were maybe 1% of the fans).

That said, if you go thru the data, you'll see that the KU game is usually a healthy margin above the normal draw for virtually any team.   Usually, right near the top if not at the top.

I believe there is also a counter-effect however, sometimes at bad schools, having bad years, the fans will be even less likely to show up for a game they are confident their team is going to take a pasting than games where they think they have a chance.  I am pretty sure this phenomenon was pretty dramatic at Baylor before Drew had them showing signs of life.  Maybe 5k for a "winnable" game and 3-4k vs. a ranked opponent. 

[Maitre D]

Why?

I'm picking KU to win.  Even when playing KU, Mizzou Arena doesn't equal home field advantage for the Tigers.

Here is the "tough" MU schedule at home this year:

Lincoln (Mo.)
Missouri Southern
Prairie View A&M
Chattanooga
Oral Roberts
Arkansas Pine Bluff
Cal
Murray State
Stetson
SIU - Edwardsville
Centenary
Coppin St.
Colorado
Iowa State
Texas Tech
Baylor

I really, really like the way KU is playing right now.  They look a lot better than what we saw at the start of the season and they look to be more "complete" (for lack of a better word) than MU right now.  I can see 1 of 3 things happening...

1. MU builds big lead, loses it, and KU wins.
2. KU wins a very close game that comes down to the last second.
3. KU wins by 20+.

KU ain't winning by 20+, that is probably a 1% chance.  I'd guess the spread is pretty fair.  If Mizzou can't win tonite then KU really has a hex on them.

[kcdcchef]

Here is the "tough" MU schedule at home this year:
 

kay u's is so much tougher.

( be sure to respond with a personal attack like the coward you are now )

[LenexatoKCMO]

Regardless of the outcome, I hope it is a quality basketball game.  National focus on a good high quality north match up doesn't come all that often and it would be nice to showcase two quality teams going at it.  A lopsided victory one way or the other would potentially diminsh the division message that could be sent.  

[kcmetro]

kay u's is so much tougher.

( be sure to respond with a personal attack like the coward you are now )

[bobbyhawks]

kay u's is so much tougher.

( be sure to respond with a personal attack like the coward you are now )

KU's home schedule hasn't been very exciting, but I don't think the point was to compare home records.  MU has been touted as having a great home record because their home point differential is so high, so I think it is noteworthy to point out they have only played two Pomeroy top 100 teams at home this year.  It is also worth noting that they killed both of those teams in Cal and Baylor.  There is no doubt that this advantage, coupled with the rivalry atmosphere will be a huge boost for the Tigers who are already a very good team to begin with.

If you want to play the comparison game, however, KU has played 6 Pomeroy top 100 teams at home this year, or 4 top 50s to MU's 2.

[Maitre D]

they killed both of those teams in Cal and Baylor. 

They did not kill Baylor.  MU was up 1 at halftime and with 5:31 to play.  They closed that game on a good run but I don't call that a killing.

[bobbyhawks]

They did not kill Baylor.   MU was up 1 at halftime and with 5:31 to play.   They closed that game on a good run but I don't call that a killing.

Good point.  I didn't see the game and was just going by final deficit of 17 points.

[Maitre D]

The Zou Crew will be out in full force tonite:

[jlbomega]

Over/Under on these guys?  I say at least 30




Sorry... I had to edit this photo.  This guy was too pricesless.  Is that you MD? 

[LenexatoKCMO]

Rankings are out

Coachs' 16 and 19
AP 16 and 17

Missouri jumped in pretty far for their first week. 

[Maitre D]

Odds that Mizzery storms the court if they finally beat Kansas tonite?  95%?  98%?

[kcmetro]

Odds that Mizzery storms the court if they finally beat Kansas tonite?   95%?   98%?

100%

[Pendergast]

Already with the KU snobbery.  Like you wouldn't storm the court.  We haven't beat you in the last 5 tries.  And we just got ranked finally, so what are the odds of a RIOT? 

[LenexatoKCMO]

Odds that Mizzery storms the court if they finally beat Kansas tonite?   95%?   98%?

Has the Mizzou student body even watched enough basketball on TV the last 4-5 years to even have any idea what a court storming is?  How many of them will be figuring out what the funny looking arena shaped building on campus is for the first time tonight?

[LenexatoKCMO]

Like you wouldn't storm the court. 

  Is that a joke?  When was the last time you saw fans on the court at AFH?  I am pretty sure the hawks could beat the Lakers at home and you wouldn't see any fans on the court.